The Other "C" Word

There are hurtful words in the English language that we fling at each other in anger, despair and even laziness when we do not take the time to find a more appropriate one. This post is not about the obvious it is about the other "C" word CANCER.

Cancer is a word that until recently was in my vocabulary distantly. I could empathize but I could not fully relate, it had touched my life but never so completely. All that changed late in May when my Mother was diagnosed. Now it is as much a part of my life as waking, sleeping, breathing.

The disease itself consumes the patient; the interventions to battle the disease consumes their lives. I support, listen, hand hold but find that it is not enough. I am still on the fringe trying to guide her through a maze that although I am familiar with, I can no longer navigate because I have lost perspective. I am no longer the healthcare provider, I am the daughter watching, waiting for results, hoping that all is going well, praying that she has the stamina to endure the ravages of not only the disease but of the "cure."

Her spirits are good. She goes through the motions of the endless doctors' appointments, the chemotherapy, the outward "signs" that all is "ok." There are moments when she shares her inner thoughts, when she puts to words the struggle she is engaged in. Her thoughts are simply verbalized nothing fancy. My Mother does not deal in "fancy." Again I listen helpless but never hopeless.

I love you Mom, you are not alone, we are all here with you and for you. I know we've taken this journey together before this is how you must have felt many years ago when it was you in my shoes. You did it then; we'll do it now.

The Walk to Defeat ALS

For the past four years, every April I walk to support ALS. It began because of a corporate sponsorship and has blossomed into something I do to remember friends, patients, and staff who have succumbed to this devastating disease.

During the weeks leading up to the walk there is always the fund raising and attention to details that keeps my mind occupied. The day of the walk and especially the walk itself is a different story. At those moments my mind is filled with those who have fallen to this disease. I see their faces, remember their hopes, and pray for the ones that are newly diagnosed.

ALS is relentless and unforgiving. It knows no social or economic boundaries. It does not care what your ethnic background is or what you beliefs might be. ALS is an equal opportunity disease.

There is little known about ALS and what has been recently discovered is mostly due to the fund raising efforts for research and care of the ALS Association. Nationwide the ALS Association continues to look for the cure while providing for the needs of those afflicted. The cost of one year of care for one ALS patient is $200,000. Do the math, it is mind boggling!

ALS fund raising is not limited to once a year. You can donate at anytime to the ALS Association. No gift is too small or too great and every penny is deeply appreciated. To contribute to the ALS Association visit our Team Page, the Florida Chapter (just click on either to go to a donate page) or visit your local chapter's webpage.

Until next time,

Carmen

Silent Sunday

Black Eyed Susan Scrabble Tile Pendant

(Not yet listed)

Scrabble Tile Pendant Your Initial

(Please click title to enter shop)



Scrabble Tile Pendant Leopard and Stripe Initial
(Please click title to enter shop)

Until next time,

Carmen

And My Mind Draws A Blank

I was originally going to title this post "This Menopausal Moment is Brought to You By..." but thought better (or maybe I didn't but it was masked by my menopausal moment). I am hoping that if I type real fast I might be able to complete this post before the next wave of ....what was it I was going to type?

Some of you reading this can't relate because you are too young (wait, it will come) and some of you can't relate because you are male (hahaha no excuse go ask your GF, wife, SO or any middle aged woman on the street). The Menopausal Moment is a real phenomena that warrants exploration and millions of dollars in research.

Ladies, we have all experienced it. The Menopausal Moment (or TMM for short, because it can't be real and medical unless it has an acronym) is that sudden lack of blood to brain that causes your mouth to stop in mid sentence. This is the hallmark sign of TMM. It is usually followed by "What was I saying," or "What is the word I'm looking for..." Unfortunately that only masks your embarrassment from YOU because the word you were looking for is "and" or "the."

My first glimpse into TMM was many years ago. It began with my grandmother. While rattling off orders as we marched out the door she would pause then cover by calling out fifteen names before getting to the right one, we were too young to realize what was going on. Then it happened to my mother, aunts, cousins the only common threads seemed to be age, "hot flashes," and statements of "wait 'til it happens to you."

I have experienced TMM myself. My best one to date was when I sitting in an interview, with 4 other women who were looking to hire a high profile executive for their high profile company (no names not that I shouldn't I just can't remember--it's happening now). While answering some deep question like "What is the meaning of life," my mind went blank. Noting the age of the women in the room, and knowing they had no clue what my age was I apologized profusely and stated calmly "I just had a menopausal moment." Being able to relate, I was offered the position a few days later. Being too embarrassed I declined.

So next time it happens don't be too concerned it is one of those skeletons in the closet that we don't share in polite societies. Yes, it is real. No, there is nothing wrong with you but I am sure that the pharmaceutical companies will come out with a pill to assist us through it--soon.

Until next time,

Carmen

M is for Monday, M is for Mucha

They don't even have names yet but I couldn't wait to share them. After recently discovering the works of Alphonse Mucha seems I can't get enough of them! There is an ethereal quality to his works that begs you to do something with them. So lately, I've been playing with paper, eating glue and running with scissors while working on Mucha girl pendants.

Each beauty in this newest group is mounted on polymer clay tiles, sanded and sealed. Gorgeous as a pendant but would be equally as lovely as a pin. Off to play with more Mucha muchachas.

Until next time,

Carmen

Basic Rules for Living on the Planet

Life does not come with instructions. We are kind of thrown into it and then we are mentored and guided by our parents, families, friends, and a few wild cards that destiny throws in the mix. It's too bad that there is no reference book, You Tube video, etc. for when all else fails or for when you have reached the crossroads. It's also too bad that we don't take notes along the way.

One of my favorite books is Life's Little Instruction Book. Another favorite is Everything I Ever Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. Granted they are not an atlas for living but they are a good start. We would all do well to purchase a copy of each and keep it near by. They remind us of basic issues in simple terms.

It has been one of those weeks, months, and years. I just need to remind myself of what is important and while I'm there I'll share with you:

• Say "Please"
• Say "Thank you"
• Say "I love you"
• Say "I'm sorry"
• If you open it, close it
• If you turn it on, turn it off
• If it ain't broken, don't fix it
• If you break it, repair it
• If you borrow it, return it
• Toilet seat down
• You are responsible for your own happiness

Until next time,

Carmen

So you don't post for a bit . . .

and all heck breaks loose! What is up with that? You get a little busy with the holidays, making some custom orders and forget (abandon) your blog for a bit . . . and it becomes "inactive!" I never knew that!

Not So Silent Sunday

It's been a long time. Over a month and nothing from this self proclaimed "loud mouth." I've missed blogging but unfortunately have not found the spare minute in the day to devote to it.

It's been a strange year. In earlier posts I've shared what I am seeing in my community secondary to the recession. Yesterday I received another dose of reality while participating in a health fair that my staff coordinated and sponsored.

It was held in our statellite office. An area that just 18 months ago was considered very up and coming, with multiple coveted zip codes, affluent areas, promise of the American dream. Today it has one of the highest foreclosure rates and unemployment rates in our State. Today it is an area that hurts visibly.

In the land of plenty, the land of milk and honey that is America, it is difficult to comprehend the inability to provide yourself with basic needs--food, shelter, being able to provide and care for oneself, etc. That is what I saw. That is their reality.

There are no words to describe the response we received from those that attended the health fair. It was pure gratitude and I cannot begin to share what that looks or feels like. But I can say to anyone reading this blog that if you have an opportunity to assist in community events in your area take the time, do it, make a difference in someone's life. Right now, it is needed.

My deepest appreciation and thanks to those who made this possible for our community. Ursula, Ron, Tim, Terri, Claudia C, Claudia J, Yvette, Isaiah, Pacia, Connie, Jayne, Melissa, Wendy, Dawn, Ramona, Carol, Eva, Hugh, Luz, Marlene, Taymi, Brenda, Debbie T, Debbie D-M (and Buddy), Valarie, Linda (and her wonderful Volunteers), and Paul--thank you! Your dedication and committment to our organization, your community and the people that we serve is a source of inspiration. I am blessed to be a part of this "Dream Team."

Until next time,

Carmen

Growing Up Spanglish

My sister and I are slightly damaged, I say that in a loving way. We grew up just a little different than our friends. We grew up Spanglish.

Now you might ask what exactly is growing up Spanglish? Well if you take the best of American culture and mix it with the best of Spanish tradition you have growing up Spanglish. Our parents did not speak English as we were growing up which now in retrospect has led to some of the funniest moments (and memories) of our lives. We recall parental language faux pas and can laugh for hours not only at the way they were said but at the subtle innuendos associated with what they said.

Our parents never said thank you very much, but did mange "sank ju' berry mush." Our friends shopped at Winn Dixie Qwik Chek we cut to the chase and went to "Winn Chek," our grandmother's favorite store. Most of you probably have had a bucket of the Colonel's Kentucky Fried Chicken hmmm at our house that would be "Ceeken Leeken." And then there was the bus driver who insulted our mother (according of course to our mother) the man simply asked her to "Put the fare..." in the toll machine and pointed. Our mother insisted that he had called her "...an ugly lady of the evening."

As we grew up we learned the American translation for our "secret language." Now after so many years we crack up when we hear friends and acquaintances discuss their "secret languages." It seems they might not have been as "secret" as any of us thought. There are so many common factors that we are beginning to wonder if it wasn't a master plot thought up by our parents.

Growing up Spanglish was amazing. It prepared us for what life had to hold. If nothing else it did teach us to think on our feet, to question the spoken word, and to stand on what we know to be right for us. Case in point, I was going out on a first date many years ago when my mother turned to me and the young man and uttered, "Don con hon lader." A huge smile emerged on my dates face, to which I responded "zip it, you can't begin to understand."

Have a great weekend and until next time,

Carmen

We're Back~~Silent Saturday

Good Grace-Crochet Pin

Sumpin Else

Back in the shop in a multitude of colors, just in time for your holiday shopping. Pin on your lapel or slide a ribbon or chain through the pin's back for a unique look this fall.

Crochet Necklace

Sumpin Else

Back in the shop in a multitude of colors, just in time for your holiday shopping.

Integrity Necklace

Sumpin Else

Length adjusts from choker to full 30" can also be used as eyeglass holder

Grow flowers of gratitude in the soil of prayer~V. Woods

Wishes Do Come True

Wish Bracelet--Sumpin Else WISH

Sumpin Else

Wish Bracelet--Man Star with Heart

Sumpin Else

If a pig can fly, are any words necessary? Hope you enjoy the new additions to our shop.

Please Pardon our Dust...

I've always loved this sign in department stores. It's always been encouraging to me to see growth and to know that there exists planned chaos. I've always secretly wanted to hang one of those signs up myself.

Sumpin Else is our little dream. We hoped for a "Please Pardon our Dust..." sign of our own one day. Ahhhh, one day that was the key. That day came a little sooner; not a complaint just a joyful realization.

Over the next couple of weeks, we will be working on reorganizing our growing "little" business. For which our kitchen tables, living rooms, dining rooms, and families thank us. We in turn thank you!

We are not as savvy or well equipped at this as Bloomingdale's or Macy's. So in order to fulfill our local and custom orders while we revamp we will be on hiatus until September. If you have placed a Sumpin Else order (through 8/7/2009) your order will be shipped in the same timely manner as it always has been. If you are placing an order 8/8/2009 or after please note that orders will be shipped on August 27th.

Again, thank you for making our dreams come true. Next blog entry will be August 27th in the meantime: Please pardon our dust while we regroup to serve you better.

Until next time,

Carmen